10th June 2015
I glimpsed across the semi-rusty door of the train and
watched as two young men ran along , gaining speed desperately trying to keep
up with the train, they knew will soon outclass them. The inevitable truth
slowly sunk into my heart. A realization that I eluded for the last 6 months of
college hit me hard. Tears rolled down my eyes, as two of my best friends waved
goodbye fiercely, gradually tending towards becoming a distant blur.
I had left the place I called home for the last four years, for good. I remember my first few days as an undergraduate student of engineering, involved a great deal of fear, of uncertainties that lay ahead. I was a pampered single child who had left the warmth and protective surrounding of my parents and travelled 2000km from a major metropolitan city, to a university somewhere amidst the Himalayas of which I knew squat about. Truth be told, I never completely understood my decision of joining SMIT back then. I did have other options back in my city.
Today, I realized I didn't need a college in my city,
with abundant opportunities. I needed a college which was willing to give
me the freedom to try, fail and get back on my feet. I needed to build the
optimistic approach of creating opportunities, when we don't have many, A
situation, quiet common at some point or the other, in life.
I needed the environment where, no one including my
parents could protect me from facing problems, fighting challenges. I wanted to
break free of my preconceived notions, test myself, to discover my potential,
to build my grit, and keep up levels of optimism as high as possible even
on days which weren't mine. I become independent and learnt to access untapped
creative potential.
In the first few months I used to believe that I was far
from home. I was alone in this place, where I could barely manage to get by in
the common tongue. I was alone in my fight for survival in engineering, pursuing
challenging courses I knew nothing of. Over the years a lot of things changed,
those initial feelings of solitude vanished within the first semester. I met
some of my best friends in college.
My friends became my family, my college
became my home. Together, we pulled some impressive feats. We experimented with
life with every opportunity we got. We discovered the joy in dancing on stage
like wild buffoons in front of 500 people in a cultural event, in winning
debate competitions that had nail-biting finishes. The excitement of presenting
research papers in an auditorium full of people, where everyone except you and
your friend seemed to be a subject expert on the topic, that you unintentionally
chose for a project. When you are among friends, you lose all inhibitions of
the mind. You wouldn’t mind looking like clowns on the dance floor, despite
photographs going viral post culturals. It becomes a treasured memory, despite
it having a strong effect on your judgment towards the idea of dancing in
public.
If you succeed in something you try together, there is an
unparalleled joy in winning. If you get screwed while studying together for an
exam, there is the satisfying feeling that you are all screwed together. Time
is faster that we think and even before you realize it, some of the best
moments of your life pass you by.
There are unspoken words that I couldn't tell these remarkable people I called best friends. If I dont pen it down, I probably won't be able to sleep tonight.
Surendranath
Reddy : From the first day of college till the last second I spent of campus, he
has been my greatest source of support and courage whenever I have wanted to do
anything constructive. From starting literary clubs, teaming up for university
debates to presenting our research work together in International Conferences
where we were the only idiots present, we have faced innumerable tight
situations together. Heck we even got blasted by our teachers together. None of
these experiences would have been possible, if you weren't around to help me
come out of my shell. I probably wouldn't have lasted the first week of
college, if it weren't for you. Its been a real pleasure working with you and
knowing you.
Pushpak Chakraborty : The man who
keeps me in check and constantly pushes me into becoming a better person. You
have made me strong, by putting me through hell. You have made me do some crazy
things I would normally never do, and have given me memories that I associate
as the best time in my life. Thank you.
KRN Kashyap : Life in smit is
incomplete without you. My senior, mentor, my guide, and one of my best
friends. You have encouraged me when I tried anything new and corrected me
innumerable times when I was wrong. Thank you for everything Anna!
Siddarth Surya: My labpartner for
3 years. Over time we have collaborated and worked on many things. I love those
9 hours in lab which we wasted every week, talking and mocking other people.
You have been one of my best friends, and my only regret is that I wish we had known
eachother since 1st year! You are an amazing friend, you black piece of shit!
Rupam Sinha : Shortie! The time I
have truely known you has been short and sweet! I wouldn't have cleared B.Tech
if it wasn't for your helpful notes before every exam. You are kind, mature,
smart and above all, a fierce friend, whome I know I can count on. The latest
addition to my inner circle of friends and the only girl in it. You truly are
an exceptional person. Cheers!
Ritik Kumar Singh : I met you in
1st year, and thought you were some sort of quiet guy, who is shy. I met you
again in Second year, and found out I was wrong. You have made unbearably
boring classes a completely entertaining one. You have the gift. Most of the
time, you sprout out absolute rubbish, and nonsense. Yet you throw people into
fits of laughter. You can change anyone's mood with your gift. Your the guy to
come to, when I am depressed and screwed. Ritik, you are an amazing friend who
I will always treasure. I love you man! Stay awesome
I cannot begin to describe, what
I would give, to spend another day, to spend with these remarkable people. To
walk in those lousy corridors and listen to those mundane classes together.
College, excuse me for my
language, screws you in so many ways that after certain time, you grow numb to
the fear of failure. You only remember the pain of it all, which ultimately
transforms you into a stronger individual.
When I left college yesterday, I
still have the same confused mindset on my career and life that I arrived in
college with. I haven't succeeded yet in my goals, but I learnt the art of pursuing
them relentlessly until I reach my pinnacle of success. I learnt to rise back
up, every time I fall down. I learnt to be responsible for my life and give
every opportunity my best. I learnt to treat my wins and losses impartially and
constantly strive for the better tomorrow. I learnt that the world has many
talented and remarkable people, and that each of them have something we can
learn from. Yet it is important to never forget that we as individuals have
something to offer too.
I learnt that life is short, and
what we do in our lives may never really have an impact on the world, yet it is
important that we do it anyway. Because, our decisions affect the lives of
people around us and in essence, the world.
"
Once again, we are strangers in this world, but this time, with memories"
